13 November 2008 by Brian.

These two articles graphically (perhaps too graphically) illustrate the problem faced by the anti-theist when it comes to morality.  Read this article about humanist propaganda designed just for the holidays (derived from “holy days”, by the way, if you’re wondering why non-theists feel “a little alone” during the holidays).

Then, check out this story from Sweden regarding a bestiality ring, to which the Agriculture Minister (is he a 45 year old father of two?) seems to be sympathetic.

The Humanists want to, “plant a seed of rational thought and critical thinking and questioning in people’s minds.”  Mission accomplished.  So, in the spirit of rationality, here’s a question for you:  “If there isn’t a deity who defines good and evil, then what is ‘good’?”  Consider the nauseating questions posed by the Ag Minister: “Is it, and should it be, legal to spread something on the genitalia that might smell or taste nice to a dog, in order to allow the dog to lick off whatever is spread on the genitalia?  Should it be permitted to stroke a bitch’s teats with love, or should it be classified as animal sexual abuse?”  If there is no absolute moral lawgiver, then there can be no absolute moral law…only physical laws and moral preferences.  Furthermore, if we and our dogs are only the product of time, plus matter, plus chance, then why would those actions be wrong…just a little animal on animal gratification, right?

Without God, the concept of “good” and “bad” are meaningless.  There is only “is”.  We could state preferences for one situation over another, but those would be purely subjective.  In order to be rational and consistent, I challenge the anti-theists to alter their ad campaign to say, “Just act in a manner we prefer, for preferences’ sake.”  Somehow, I don’t think they want their “seed of rational thought” to grow too much.  If it does, it may just reveal itself for what it is…a useless weed.

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5 September 2008 by Brian.

I was reading Psalm 50 and was struck by the statement God makes at the end of this selection:

17     For you hate discipline,
and you cast my words behind you.

18     You make friends with a thief when you see one,
and you keep company with adulterers.

19        “You give your mouth free rein for evil,
and your tongue frames deceit.

20     You sit and speak against your kin;
you slander your own mother’s child.

21     These things you have done and I have been silent;
you thought that I was one just like yourself.
But now I rebuke you, and lay the charge before you.

The passage describes a community made up of people who have no regard for the righteousness of God.  They live according to their own rules, satisfying their appetites, and obeying their whims.  They disregard God’s corrective action in their lives, they disregard the moral law and freely accept injustice among them.  They speak evil, even of those to whom they should be most loyal - their own family.  So, they speak up in matters they shouldn’t and keep silent when they should speak up in opposition to evil.

God states definitively that He is completely different from this society of His supposed people.  God does not keep silent in the face of evil, but opposes it.  He does not speak evil, but doesn’t back down from the truth, even when it is uncomfortable to the hearer.  As His people (I refer to believers here), we are expected to glorify Him by living His character by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

So, if this is true, then why do I so often hear those who speak up against evil, injustice, or sin referred to as “mean” and those who keep silent and go with the flow as “nice”?  People tend to feel guilty for trying to do the right thing or requiring others to hold to a standard, whether it is simply a business policy that is the standard or its an issue of right and wrong.

We must be careful, always realizing that our judgment isn’t perfect and that humility and grace should always be present in the believer’s life.  But, there are many issues in our society about which God would have us speak up on behalf of Right and righteousness.  If God is who He says He is, then we should be faithful to do so.  The weak and vulnerable in our society need our voices.  People need to see us living the life of Christ at work, in our families, in politics, and, yes, even in church!

Do we dare to ask God to show us just how far short we fall and then trust Him to re-mold us in His image whether it’s comfortable or not?

Posted in Naturalism, Humanism, Abortion, Homosexuality, Eurabia, Social Injustice, Bible study, Inductive study method, Inductive Bible study, Social Justice, Community, Politics, Missions, Missionaries, Europe, Leadership, Evil, Environmentalism, Social Medicine, Trinity, Trinitarianism, Israel, Religious fanaticism, Sex, Biblical Worldview, Postmodernism, Postmodern Philosophy, Contemporary Christianity, Relativism, Sanctity of Life, Islam, Marriage, Postmodernity, North Korea, Morality, Religion, Radicalism, Radicals, Morals, New Age Spirituality, Spirituality, New Age, False Doctrine, Secularism | No Comments »

20 August 2008 by Brian.

Ravi Zacharias has edited a very helpful book entitled, “Beyond Opinion.”  I found one chapter in particular especially intriguing.  It was the chapter on, “The Role of Doubt and Persecution in Spiritual Transformation.”  You see, I’ve read a lot, studied a lot, and even done a little teaching on the topic of evil and how its existence can best be understood within the Christian worldview.  However, the author of this particular chapter (Stuart McAllister) does a great job of addressing the existential reality that we would often prefer to avoid.  In fact, I would argue that God attributes great value to the growth and the glory produced in the “desert experiences” of our lives, while those experiencing them (at certain stages, at least) are under the impression that nothing has any value whatsoever.  In order to understand the context, you need to know that earlier in the chapter, he shared his experience of having been imprisoned in a Czechoslovakian prison after being caught trying to smuggle Bibles behind the Iron Curtain.  Here are two brief paragraphs, which I hope will motivate you to read the entire chapter:

“The Trinitarian vision of God has served to sustain me in many different ways.  What do I mean?  As I journeyed into my life of faith I came to grasp (not very well) the historic teachings regarding the nature of God.  To see that God is a community of love, that he existed in self-giving relationships before the creation, and that he took on himself flesh in order to redeem us, was an awesome discovery.  The gift and life of the Holy Spirit was the final link in tying together what was for me, a vague notion.  This universe is a relational order, and I was now tuned in by virtues of God’s grace, mercy, and enabling love.  This understanding of God allowed me to dwell on God the Father, the Sovereign, the ruler, the God who humbled Egypt and led his people in the wilderness.  It also allowed me to consider Jesus as the incarnate one, the suffering servant, who although God in the flesh, restrained himself, sought out sinners, and gave his life in such an unselfish way.  The Father ruling, governing, guiding; the Son in his example, service, and sacrifice, followed by the Spirit in his comfort, keeping, power, and presence (John 14:26).  All these have been vital in my reflections.

How has this helped me practically?  It has meant that many times I could rest in the assurance of God’s ultimate and good control over life and circumstances.  Even though I had to face questions, I recognized my limitations and found comfort in the sense of God’s sovereign rule.  The example of Jesus continues to inspire and fuel a longing to be more like him: to follow his way, to respond as he responded, to treat people as he treated them, to love as he loved.  The assurance of the Spirit’s presence and help has met me in many ways, as I travel, preach, face questions, and seek to wrestle through issues.”

Posted in Humanism, Homosexuality, Community, Politics, Naturalism, Eurabia, Bible study, Social Justice, Social Injustice, Social Medicine, Taxes, Missionaries, Europe, Leadership, Missions, Evil, Trinity, Trinitarianism, Environmentalism, Religious fanaticism, Radicals, Sex, Biblical Worldview, Postmodernism, Postmodern Philosophy, Contemporary Christianity, Relativism, Sanctity of Life, Islam, Marriage, Postmodernity, North Korea, Morality, Religion, Radicalism, Morals, New Age Spirituality, Spirituality, New Age, False Doctrine, Secularism | No Comments »

11 August 2008 by Brian.

It’s been a while since I offered a decent post.  Let’s be honest, that last post was an exhausted, weak attempt to get something on the board…certainly not my best effort and you have my apologies.

Anyway, on to tonight’s business.   A big part of my job at Effectur, Inc. where I am currently employed is to manage our Net Promoter Score program.  If you’re not familiar with the term, it’s a simple measurement designed to place a numerical measurement on the quality of a company’s relationship with its customers and it is based upon the response to one simple question, “Would you recommend the company to a friend or colleague?”  The score takes into consideration those customers who are actively promoting the company to others (think of your average Apple Macintosh user), as well as those who hate the company and rarely miss an opportunity to tell others how badly it sucks (think just about any mobile phone service provider’s customers).  Our company is doing pretty well with our NPS right now, with many more of our customers loving us than hating us, with a lot of customers in the middle, satisfied, but not exactly overwhelmingly pleased.

So, I was thinking about my witness for Christ in my various contexts each day and I was wondering how I would score if people were asked if, based upon their observance of my life, they were attracted to Jesus or persuaded to reject him.   It’s a sobering thought.  What would my co-workers say?  Is my witness consistent to each of them, or are there some who see more of Jesus, while others see more of my weaknesses emerging?  What about my wife?  My children?  Are they drawn to Jesus’ life in me?  Do they see him at all?

My prayer is a simple one: “Lord Jesus, transform me into your image more and more each day.  Fill me with your love and your grace, as well as your truth and holiness and grant me the humility to admit my failures and ask forgiveness when I hurt those around me.”

Posted in Politics, Community, Humanism, Naturalism, Taxes, Trinity, Leadership, Missionaries, Missions, Trinitarianism, Social Injustice, Social Justice, Contemporary Christianity, Relativism, Marriage, Sanctity of Life, Sex, Biblical Worldview, Religion, Morality, Morals, Spirituality, Secularism | 1 Comment »

31 July 2008 by Brian.

Dr. Henry Cloud says that great leaders learn to hate the right things well.

What is the role of ‘hate’ in your life?  When should we hate?  Care to comment?

Posted in Homosexuality, Community, Politics, Social Medicine, Abortion, Humanism, Social Injustice, Quotes, Eurabia, Naturalism, Taxes, Trinity, Europe, Christmas, Larry Norman, Leadership, Missionaries, Missions, Trinitarianism, Environmentalism, Evil, Social Justice, Israel, Biblical Worldview, Postmodernism, Postmodern Philosophy, Postmodernity, Sex, Contemporary Christianity, Sanctity of Life, Islam, Marriage, Relativism, North Korea, Spirituality, Religion, Radicalism, Radicals, Religious fanaticism, Morality, Morals, New Age, False Doctrine, New Age Spirituality, Secularism | No Comments »

19 July 2008 by Brian.

Malcolm Muggeridge (I believe it was in his book, “Christ and the Media“) predicted the abyss into which much of our mainstream media has sunk.  Ratings over truth.  If it bleeds, it leads.  Deliver an agenda rather than deliver an account.

This story pretty much reflects the depravity Muggeridge described.  The unsuspecting reporter thought he was just going to view a couple burglars being relieved of their limbs…nothing too shocking.  However, he soon realized he was about to see the execution of two women and he nobly attempted to stand between them and their grisly fate.  When that didn’t work, I guess he thought, “What the heck?  Might as well film it.”

Posted in Eurabia, Social Injustice, Social Justice, Religious fanaticism, Humanism, Politics, Europe, Missionaries, Missions, Evil, Radicals, Radicalism, Contemporary Christianity, Relativism, Islam, Sanctity of Life, Biblical Worldview, Spirituality, Religion, Morality, Morals, False Doctrine, Secularism | No Comments »

5 July 2008 by Brian.

Ron Smith posts on some interesting revelations from unChristian.

If only we could ban the ‘f word’! 

Posted in Naturalism, Humanism, Abortion, Social Justice, Bible study, Religion, Religious fanaticism, Homosexuality, Community, Missionaries, Leadership, Missions, Evil, Politics, Environmentalism, Morality, Morals, Contemporary Christianity, Sex, Relativism, Marriage, Sanctity of Life, Islam, Biblical Worldview, Postmodernism, False Doctrine, New Age Spirituality, New Age, Spirituality, Postmodern Philosophy, Postmodernity, Secularism | 1 Comment »

23 June 2008 by Brian.

Yesterday our pastor was preaching on the fact that the Christian life was never intended to be a call to exert enough will-power to live a righteous life.  (No, I wasn’t calling him a simple mind.  I was referring to my own…the thought is coming.)

As I thought about it, the idea of a believer struggling to “gut out” enough self-righteousness to please God makes just as much sense as a light bulb, disconnected from any source of electricity attempting to “will” itself to illuminate.  Just as the filament in a light bulb requires electricity to illuminate, so the believer requires the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life as it was meant to be lived.  (I’m sure I’m not the first to draw this analogy.)  Even our good deeds, accomplished outside of reliance on the Holy Spirit, are empty and misled.

Lord, teach me to rely on You and to stop trying to impress you with my own pitiful efforts at righteousness.  Once again, thank you for grace!

Posted in Social Injustice, Naturalism, Social Justice, Religious fanaticism, Religion, Humanism, Politics, Missionaries, Christmas, Missions, Trinitarianism, Trinity, Morality, Morals, Contemporary Christianity, Sex, Relativism, Marriage, Sanctity of Life, Biblical Worldview, Postmodernism, False Doctrine, Spirituality, Postmodernity, Postmodern Philosophy, Secularism | 1 Comment »

18 June 2008 by Brian.

It’s late, so here’s a couple of quick thoughts.  I was recently challenged by a former church-goer as to the behavior of the vocal “Christians” and how even their fellow believers fear to do business with them because they are so untrustworthy and can actually be expected to operate in direct opposition to their stated beliefs.  I couldn’t argue…it certainly happens…often.  Is it in keeping with the person of Christ?  Absolutely not.  Is the validity of faith in him and a transforming relationship with him called into question?  Absolutely.  This is a tragedy in the church and one which, as believers, we should be challenging.  I pray for more churches that will call people to lives worthy of the high calling we’ve received in Jesus Christ.

Another sad application of the same issue can be seen in our failure to answer this dangerous school in Virginia.  Islamic students are being taught that it’s acceptable to kill ‘infidels’, yet the American church is so impotent that most Muslims in this land see nothing to attract them to Jesus and the God of the Bible.

If we fail to repent and remedy the current situation, then whether our downfall is ultimately brought about by secular humanism or Islam, the answer for our ineffectiveness in reaching our neighbor will be found in the same place: the mirror.

Posted in Naturalism, Humanism, Abortion, Eurabia, Social Injustice, Bible study, Social Justice, Community, Politics, Missions, Missionaries, Europe, Evil, Environmentalism, Trinity, Trinitarianism, Religious fanaticism, Radicals, Contemporary Christianity, Sex, Biblical Worldview, Relativism, Marriage, Sanctity of Life, Islam, Postmodernism, Postmodern Philosophy, Morality, Religion, Radicalism, Morals, False Doctrine, Postmodernity, Spirituality, Secularism | 2 Comments »

9 June 2008 by Brian.

Richard Dawkins wrote a book entitled, “The God Delusion” in which he attacks belief in God as unscientific and false. This video is an interesting interview with him, during which he attempts to defend his position (which he does rather poorly).

Follow this link for the interview.

Alistair McGrath, by the way, wrote an answer entitled, “The Dawkins Delusion” which I’d recommend to anyone who gets confused by Dawkins’ materialistic dogma.

Dawkins and I share one thing in common. Both of us desire to live our lives in conformity with the truth, no matter the consequences. If he’s sincere in that claim, then I pray that God would break through the intellectual pride and materialist presuppositions and reveal himself to Dawkins (and those like him) in unmistakable ways. It’s interesting to note the final statement in the video, “I don’t believe we’re put here to be comfortable.” As determined as Dawkins is to operate as if there were no ultimate purpose in life (without a Creator, there can be none), he unwittingly lapses back into language that conveys that we have been “put” here (notice the passive voice). Dr. Dawkins should ask himself why, if there is no moral basis to the universe and there is no Creator (or Intelligent Designer), it should matter in the least whether a society lived according to truth or a lie…the universe is certainly impervious to the beliefs of humans? Or why it matters what “purpose” the collection of matter presently known as Richard Dawkins has “decided” it has? After all, if Dawkins is correct, his own thoughts are the predetermined product of chemical interactions in his brain which give the illusion of conscious choice, but have no ultimate purpose or meaning, nor could he have chosen otherwise.

Dr. Dawkins, please remind us why you wrote your book?

Posted in Humanism, Abortion, Naturalism, Social Injustice, Religious fanaticism, Social Justice, Community, Politics, Missions, Missionaries, Evil, Trinitarianism, Social Medicine, Trinity, Radicals, Radicalism, Sex, Biblical Worldview, Contemporary Christianity, Relativism, Sanctity of Life, Marriage, Postmodernism, Postmodern Philosophy, Morality, Religion, Morals, False Doctrine, Postmodernity, Spirituality, Secularism | No Comments »